U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission working with Samsung for proper Note 7 recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced it's working with Samsung for a complete and proper recall of the Note 7 in the U.S. Currently, Samsung's Note 7 recall isn't an official "recall" in the U.S. in terms of how the government is involved — it's technically a voluntary replacement program, even though you should absolutely swap out your Note 7 for a new unit.

And the U.S. CPSC obviously agrees, even though a proper legal recall has yet to be put into effect. Its official statement makes no bones about it:

... the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging all consumers who own a Samsung Galaxy Note7 to power them down and stop charging or using the device.

In a press release, which you can read in full below, from Samsung reiterates its commitment to working with the CPSC for a recall. In compliance with the CPSC process, Samsung will be expediting its exchange program in the U.S.

Samsung's replacement process in concert with carriers and retailers is already in full swing prior to this announcement, and depending on where you bought your Note 7 and how early you initiated your replacement unit Samsung may have already gotten you a new model. But finally putting an official CPSC recall on the Note 7 would likely hurry the process — not only can fines be assessed for noncompliance, there are other factors like recalled products not being allowed on planes that can effectively force adoption of the recall.

Even though a majority of Note 7s will likely to have been swapped out in the coming couple of weeks, the official recall will likely get the few stragglers who were holding onto their Note 7 to finally give it up. If you were on the fence, don't wait for the official recall — just return your Note 7 and get a replacement or refund.

Company urges Note7 users to power down their devices and immediately participate in exchange program

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today confirmed it has been collaborating with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) following its global announcement of battery cell issues related to the Galaxy Note7. The ongoing engagement includes working with the CPSC on a voluntary corrective action plan to expedite a US recall of the product.

"Samsung continues to ensure that consumer safety remains our top priority. We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note7s and exchange them now." says Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America. "New Note7 replacement devices will be issued to exchange program participants upon completion of the CPSC process. In the interim, consumers can return their Note7 for another device."

Although there have been only a small number of reported incidents, Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with the support they need. Samsung has identified the affected inventory and stopped sales and shipments of those devices. Customers who have Galaxy Note7 devices can replace their current device with a new device under the terms of the US Note7 Exchange Program.

The US Note7 Exchange Program offers consumers the following choices:

Exchange current Galaxy Note7 device with a new Galaxy Note7 (pending CPSC approval).

Exchange current Galaxy Note7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge and replacement of any Note7 specific accessories with a refund of the price difference between devices.

Select carrier and retail outlets will also provide customers, who prefer a replacement Note7, with a Samsung loaner phone to use until new Note7s are available.

Additionally, participants in the US exchange program will receive a $25 gift card or bill credit from select carrier or retail outlets.

"Our collaboration with the CPSC, carrier partners, and via our own communication channels is aimed at ensuring all Note7 users are aware of the issue and understand their options," adds Baxter.

The terms of the CPSC approved recall will be announced as they are available.

Galaxy Note7 owners can contact or visit the retail outlet where they purchased their device or call 1-800-SAMSUNG to initiate a product exchange and to resolve any other questions or concerns.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA) is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today's technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America's fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS.